Introduction: Recent introductions at ICAST into the Enthusiast Tackle space have been more about new companies bringing JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) style products to market at a very reasonable price. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this approach, there still exists a bit of a gap between these stylized products and the real thing. Certainly there are a few bait companies around, but as far as fishing rods and reels are concerned, the only accounting of true JDM product on North American soil is Megabass. Of course, this is really how it should be given the origins of the term “JDM” – if it’s easily offered and obtainable in North America or other markets outside of Japan, then it’s not really intended just for the Japanese market any longer, now is it?

The team at Uoya Co show us the fine products from Studio Oceanmark

Nevertheless, imagine our surprise upon walking past a booth that housed Uoya Company. At quick glance, we could see what looked to be very authentic JDM baits, and the unmistakable Studio Oceanmark aftermarket reel parts! Upon closer inspection, we came to see those baits were from JDM stalwarts Gan Craft and Fish Arrow while the aftermarket parts were indeed Studio Oceanmark. That’s right, thanks to a partnership with a US
Distributor, we now have an official channel of distribution for these wonderful products in North America. Let's look through these companies one at a time, but be forewarned, you better hide your credit cards right now.

Presenting the Ocean Grip OG2100 - a $220 fish gripper.

Studio Oceanmark: Best known amongst the TT readership for their aftermarket reel parts, Studio Oceanmark was the company with the most eye catching product at the booth. Their collection of brightly colored aftermarket parts and tools was
unmistakable and practically stopped Cal in dead in his tracks.

Not enough? How about the Ocean Grip OG2100HD featuring carbon side plating and a stainless steel jaw...?

When we did stop, we were greeted by Nick Nakao who's heading up the distributorship responsible for bringing these products into the North American Market. First up on the display case were a series of high dollar, anodized aluminum fish gripper tools designed in Japan, but built in Korea.

The OG2100HD can be had for a
measly $315.

JIP and Zander try to take in all the offerings of Studio Oceanmark.

There are three versions of Studio Oceanmark's fish grippers starting with the OceanGrip OG2100 priced at $220 to the OceanGrip OG2100HD priced at $315 to the premium OceanGrip OG2816 priced at $430. Each version features an exclusive one-way cam system meaning only one side of the jaw moves ensuring better landing percentages when employing the tool. The grip itself is designed with a patent pending offset alignment for more ergonomic positioning of the grip and jaw along with a patent pending rigger mechanism that requires only one finger operation.

Ah, but the previous two Ocean Grip models are missing a scale you say.. ok, how about the OG2816 with built in analog fish scale?

This attractive gripper will set you back $429.

The grips are super light thanks to aluminum construction and the OG2100HD features stainless steel jaws for added durability and strength. The OG2816 features a built in, analog scale concealed beneath the foam handle. Expected availability of these grippers is August 2009.

The Ocean Plier is still in prototype stages but promises to be a very light weight and durable tool complete with superline cutter and split ring pliers.

The Ocean Pliers are in prototype stages right now and not yet available for purchase, but they are very lightweight and comfortable to hold suitable not just for saltwater use, but certainly freshwater as well. You can be sure we'll be keeping an eye out for these tools.

The Ocean Knoter is a $60 too designed to help with light line, small knot leader connections.

The Ocean Knoter is a $60 tool designed to help with light line, small knot leader connections. They've developed a special knot called the QE knot which basically consists of a series of half hitch knots on either end of nail-knot style loops that you can serve out using this tool. The following video best demonstrates their
technique.

Click
on video to see how to employ the Ocean Knoter

The Ocean Knoter is a $60 tool designed to help with light line, small knot leader connections. They've developed a special knot called the QE knot which basically consists of a series of half hitch knots on either end of nail-knot style loops that you can serve out using this tool. The following video best demonstrates their
technique.